Sometimes time is a factor, in the decision of going to church. I can remember when my kids were young, yelling at them to hurry up, the shoes that were kicked off, just prior to church service, and the full boar scramble, to get food in the crock pot, breakfast in their bellies, and comb my hair to look nice, for church.

I made time, and for the most part, I do not regret it. What I do regret, is the time I would have liked to stay home and rest, but did not do that, out of obligation.

See, in those days, I was still trying to prove myself, to my new family in God.

I thought they were my family, I was told they were my family, but many did not act like family. My family understood if I could not visit them every weekend. Church members for the most part, did not. I have been waiting, but I have yet to meet a pastor who would say, (unless you are sick) “It’s okay, stay home and rest, if you need to.”

A lot of people think I’m just picking on the church. I’ve had things said to me (with a scowl) “You know, church people are not perfect.” Yes, I do know this. I’m not perfect, either. If they know they are not perfect, why the demand for perfect attendance?

I have noticed, even the workers who work on Sunday, or into the night on Saturday night, can be excused from church, but when they finally get a day off and show up, they are often greeted with this big greeting of relief, almost as if to say, “Whew, I thought you were going to miss heaven, brother, glad you are finally here.”

The Sabbath can be any day you decide is a great day to worship God, and focus on him. In fact, the bible says, if someone regards a day as holy, it is holy to him. For me, every day is holy. I have taken my Sabbath on a Saturday, a Sunday, or sometimes, even a Monday. God did say to rest, one day a week. He instituted this blessing for man, not for man to serve the day. Don’t believe me? Read your bible, it’s in there as clear as day. People of God, we need to grow (up) and out of some of these mind sets we have had, concerning religion. If we don’t, how can we expect to ever reach a world that is dying to hear the gospel message, of Jesus Christ?

The gospel (our bible) is good news, not bad news. It was never meant to be some sort of guide, for people to come along and say, “Sorry to tell you the bad news, but you are not lining up, with the King of Kings, today.”

Going around telling people how bad they are, how they don’t measure up, and for heaven’s sake, making them feel bad for not being in church last Sunday, is not becoming a messenger of good tidings, or great joy.

You can do it, but it doesn’t make it right.

Through the years, I have lost count, of how many conversations were based on whether I did or did not, attend bible study. When I would talk to people outside the church, they would ask me how my day went, and laugh with me over the antics of my dog, or my children, or what happened at work the other day.

When I would talk with Christians, almost inevitably, the conversation revolved around some great bible study I had missed, and how I should have been there. If you don’t like this, I’m sorry! But these are the kinds of things that keep people trapped, in a cycle of biblical merry-go-rounds.

We enjoy the ride and the pretty horses, and the memory of going around (and around) with our Christian friends, but deep down, we know we are supposed to be going somewhere, and the date of arrival never actually happens.

We need to make time for time with God, time with our family and friends that does not revolve around bible conversations, time to plan, envision, go forward with plans, and take care of ourselves, and be stewards of our homes and jobs.